The Albuquerque Fire Department says it has launched an internal investigation after a firefighter joked on social media about Albuquerque police killing suspects.

Fire Chief David Downey said Monday the department is looking into a Facebook post by firefighter Kenneth Barncastle, according to the Associated Press. According to the posting from a profile which since has been taken down, Barncastle said he'd quit the fire department to join Albuquerque police if they had a "criminal population reduction unit."

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Downey says the department has a social media policy and appropriate action will be taken after the investigation.

"The Albuquerque Fire Department has a policy which provides standards and procedures for the use of social media," said Downey. "We take this policy very seriously and have started an internal investigation into Firefighter Barncastle's postings. After the investigation has been completed, appropriate action will be taken."

The Albuquerque Police Department has faced heavily criticism for 37 police shootings since 2010. Last month, a video showed police shooting a homeless man in the Sandia foothills, sparking an angry protest Sunday and drawing tear gas from riot police.